Stockings

Rita de Acosta Lydig (1880-1929), a noted beauty and style icon of the early 20th century, owned these stockings, as well as another pair in the Brooklyn Museum collection (2009.300.1892a, b). Known for her striking looks and elegant clothing, de Acosta Lydig built a wardrobe that featured numerous lace-trimmed garments, including underwear and accessories like these. The custom quality shows in the silk ribbon garter loops at the top of each and numerous lace insets, while the seductive aspect of the stockings is heightened by their color and the placement of the Art Nouveau iris motifs.

fashion arbiter; much admired for her beauty and seductive qualities; these stockings are suggestive of her sensibilities, floral embroidery at top near bands illustrate the sensuality of hosiery; quality of hosiery is a custom quality indicted by the four garter loop at the tops; iris was a popular Art Nouveau flower